Good morning everyone!
The Rookies of the Year were announced yesterday and predictably standout first year center fielder Henry Bolte did not win the annual award. That honor went to Detroit shortstop Kevin McGonigle, who more than deserved it this year.
That said, Bolte ended up getting just one fifth-place vote, which puts him in a tie for 12th place among AL rookies. It was a strong year all around from the rookies in both leagues so the competition was stiff for Bolte, but it still feels low for him to
finish there. Bolte provided solid defense in center field while slashing .277/.359/.405 while getting double digit home runs (11) and stolen bases (21). He was a spark plug atop the lineup that got plenty of rallies going and the energy he brought everyday kept this team from truly bottoming out.
And that’s with not beginning the year in the big leagues. It wasn’t until a few weeks after Denzel Clarke suffered an injury did Bolte finally get his shot and he made the most of it. One can’t help but wonder if Bolte were on a contender if he’d have gotten more points in the overall voting for Rookie of the Year. Not saying he should have won, but A’s fans know how important he was for the 2026 A’s as a rookie.
He’ll be just as important this coming season as he’ll presumably be the starting center fielder beginning his sophomore season. The jury is still out on what the club is planning to do with Clarke heading into next year. Some assumption has been that a change of scenery would be best for both sides with Bolte now the long-term option in center. It’s going to be fun watching Bolte become more confident as a major leaguer and get comfortable. And to think, he’s still just 23 years old.
The GM meetings continue today in Las Vegas. As does award season. Today the Manager of the Year awards will be dished out to the best skippers in each league. Pat Murphy is a strong contender after leading the Brewers to the #1 seed (and eventually the World Series, but postseason doesn’t count for awards). And in the American League old friend Stephen Vogt could be looking at his third straight award after leading the Guardians to the AL Central title, though Rays manager Kevin Cash could give him a run for his money. We’ll find out tonight!
Enjoy your Tuesday A’s fans.
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MLB News & Interest:
- Tigers’ all-around star and Reds’ throwback slugger named Rookies of the Year
- Here are the Rookie of the Year vote totals
- ’27 Rookie of the Year candidates — one from each team
- The case for each 2026 Manager of the Year finalist
- Padres Have Expressed Interest In Tarik Skubal
- 5 teams to watch at GM Meetings as Skubal sweepstakes begin
- Willie Mays to be honored on U.S. postal stamps
- Hot Stove rumors: Phillies, Acuña, Seager, deGrom, Skubal, Yanks
- Cardinals, JoJo Romero Have Mutual Interest In Reunion
- Angels To Begin Preliminary Meetings With GM Candidates
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X:
Seconded:
True, but not the first time his name has been floated out there, either:
Looks about as big as Sutter Health:
Of course it will:
How did Bolte get one less vote than Eldridge?
